In the [[Version|main series]], a rival is a recurring opponent to the {{player}} throughout the game. This class of characters has appeared beginning in [[Generation I]], and in every main series game since. Typically, rivals will be met by the player early in the game, usually around the time the player receives their [[starter Pokémon]]. In most games, the rival will also obtain a starter Pokémon, and will usually participate in the player's first [[Pokémon battle]] against a Trainer. From then on, rivals will appear frequently throughout the player's journey, always being one step ahead of the player as the player moves through the region, meeting and battling the player at various points in the game with a progressively stronger and diversified [[party]]. Usually they must be defeated in order to continue the game; the most important of these battles happening either right before or during the player's challenge to the [[Elite Four]]. After the defeat of the [[Elite Four]] and the [[Pokémon Champion]], the rival can usually be battled at the player's leisure, but only at certain times with increasingly powerful Pokémon. More often than not, they will have the starter Pokémon of their home region that weakens the one the player chose at the beginning of the game, though {{ga|Wally}}, [[Bianca]], and {{ga|Douche}} in {{game|Yellow}} are exceptions.

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In the [[Version|main series]], a rival is a recurring opponent to the {{player}} throughout the game. This class of characters has appeared beginning in [[Generation I]], and in every main series game since. Typically, rivals will be met by the player early in the game, usually around the time the player receives their [[starter Pokémon]]. In most games, the rival will also obtain a starter Pokémon, and will usually participate in the player's first [[Pokémon battle]] against a Trainer. From then on, rivals will appear frequently throughout the player's journey, always being one step ahead of the player as the player moves through the region, meeting and battling the player at various points in the game with a progressively stronger and diversified [[party]]. Usually they must be defeated in order to continue the game; the most important of these battles happening either right before or during the player's challenge to the [[Elite Four]]. After the defeat of the [[Elite Four]] and the [[Pokémon Champion]], the rival can usually be battled at the player's leisure, but only at certain times with increasingly powerful Pokémon. More often than not, they will have the starter Pokémon of their home region that weakens the one the player chose at the beginning of the game, though {{ga|Wally}}, [[Bianca]], and {{ga|Blue}} in {{game|Yellow}} are exceptions.

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The following are the characters considered to be rivals in the games. It should be noted, though, that only {{ga|Douche}} and {{ga|Silver}} have ever received the ''Rival'' [[Trainer class]]; all others have been referred to as ''[[Pokémon Trainer]]s''. Additionally, for one battle in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, Douche is referred to as "Champion Douche".

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The following are the characters considered to be rivals in the games. It should be noted, though, that only {{ga|Blue}} and {{ga|Silver}} have ever received the ''Rival'' [[Trainer class]]; all others have been referred to as ''[[Pokémon Trainer]]s''. Additionally, for one battle in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, Blue is referred to as "Champion Blue".

A rival (Japanese: ライバルrival) is one of the main characters in the Pokémon games that is well known to the protagonist and has similar skills, goals and achievements. Rival characters appear frequently during the hero's quest, having a role in several of the games' events, and often challenges him or her in battles. Defeating a rival may be a primary or necessary goal of said character. Like the player character, some rivals have a chance to be named, the only rivals that cannot be named are Brendan/May (if the other character is chosen), Wally, Cheren, and Bianca.

In the games

In the main series, a rival is a recurring opponent to the player throughout the game. This class of characters has appeared beginning in Generation I, and in every main series game since. Typically, rivals will be met by the player early in the game, usually around the time the player receives their starter Pokémon. In most games, the rival will also obtain a starter Pokémon, and will usually participate in the player's first Pokémon battle against a Trainer. From then on, rivals will appear frequently throughout the player's journey, always being one step ahead of the player as the player moves through the region, meeting and battling the player at various points in the game with a progressively stronger and diversified party. Usually they must be defeated in order to continue the game; the most important of these battles happening either right before or during the player's challenge to the Elite Four. After the defeat of the Elite Four and the Pokémon Champion, the rival can usually be battled at the player's leisure, but only at certain times with increasingly powerful Pokémon. More often than not, they will have the starter Pokémon of their home region that weakens the one the player chose at the beginning of the game, though Wally, Bianca, and Blue in Pokémon Yellow are exceptions.

In the anime

Ash and his main Unova rival, Trip

Various rivals for the main characters have also appeared in the anime.

Ash has had Gary Oak, Paul, Barry, Trip and Bianca as his major rivals. Minor rivals include Nando and Conway who, while they battled Ash more than once across an entire saga, have a smaller role than the other five. Many other characters also collect Badges and may be counted as rivals in the future. He also has a friendly rivalry with Stephan and Cameron.